Turtle Wax, a global name in the car care industry, entered the Indian market this year. With its aggressive plans and the ongoing demand for car care products, the company aims at becoming one of the largest care car product suppliers in Doing It Yourself (DIY) segment, besides, establishing a strong presence in Do-It-For-Me (DIFM) space.

According to Sajan Murali Puravangara, Country Manager and Director, Turtle Wax India, the car care industry is an integral part of the automotive industry, and changing buying preference from the mileage, and low maintenance to aesthetics, safety, comfort and features are fuelling demand for car care products.

“India has been witnessing good growth in car sales in last decade, whereas in the last five years, we see traction in the car care industry on account of changing trends or reasons to buy a car. In recent years, the way people look at the car has changed. They buy cars for the looks and features, and that also led to an interest to keep their cars new, tidy and clean; this is bringing demand for car care products. The interest is also coming from the mass car segment. In the last two years, we are getting the indication that the car care industry will be the next sunshine industry in the future,” explained Puravangara.

Turtle Wax, a family-owned company, has been in the car care business for nearly 75 years and operates in over 120 countries. Before establishing its third subsidiary in India, the company has been operating with two subsidiaries- the US and Europe.

India has a population over 1.3 billion and only 22 people out of a thousand own car, while in the US and UK, 980 and 850 per 1,000 individuals have a car, respectively. The massive headroom for the car segment in the next one-and-a-half-decade will trigger further growth for the car care segment in the long term, opines Puravangara.

According to a research report, the current car care industry in India is slightly less than one billion USD and expected to reach $1.44 billion in 2027. Explaining the growth factors, the report says, people usually keep their cars for more than seven years in India, and hence car care products are being increasingly used to restore the paint and for detailing and interiors. Along with this, many car care product manufacturers from Europe and North American markets have their presence in India through e-commerce websites and strong dealership networks. The same report adds that by 2027, the interior car care product segment will be around of $0.73 billion, while the exterior car product market will grow to USD 0.7 billion.

Consumer behaviour, cheap labour, and lack of necessary know-how make the Indian car care industry more challenging for the companies to operate in the DIY space.

In western countries, cars are a part of the family, and family members take basic care. In the US and other developed countries, the DIY segment is about 80 percent of the total car care industry; however, in India, it is of around 30 percent. “In countries like India, due to the hectic work schedule and cheap labour, DIFM dominates in the car care segment. There is always a third person to take basic care of cars in India. Coupled with this, the know-how is fairly lower in India when it comes to basic things such what wax can do to your car and what are the ways to protect cars’ interior and exterior,” Puravangara said.

However, the pandemic in the last eight months has proven useful for the car care segment. “We have seen momentum in the DIY business in the last six months. Since people have been at home, they have a lot of time at their disposal. They find time to take care of their cars. We are also seeing people are increasingly enquiring on different social media platforms on how to take care of their cars and sharing other issues,” he said.

As a part of the strategy to penetrate its products, the company will heavily focus on educating consumers on primary car care and the company’s products. “Being a global leader in the car care industry, it is our top priority to educate people on car care, know-how and our product usages and benefits.”

In the next three to four months, the company will start campaigns on social media channels. The campaign will invite consumers with their queries or to share their experience and issues.

“The company will also bring out videos on how to use our products and use the social influencers on YouTube and Instagram,” Puravangara said.

Though India is seeing a growing number of women behind in the wheel, the car care industry is yet to consider women as their potential customers. However, Turtle Wax understands the role of women in the overall automotive industry and expects the growing number of women car owners evidently will reflect in the car care industry.

To widen its customer base, the company will also promote the car wash as a family celebration where family members will take participate in washing, cleaning and taking care of the car. “Washing and cleaning cars is a family affair in many countries, and therefore the company will be promoting the same in India as well,” added he.

However, external factors that also possess further challenges for car care products. Considering vast territories, different weather, pollutions and scarcity and quality of water put car care product performance under severe pressure. Keeping the external challenges in mind, the company plans to bring in products that are suitable to the Indian markets.

“A larger challenge is not only the availability of water but the hard water which leaves marks on the car. Coupled with this, extreme temperature and dust and pollution affect the car. We are bringing in the products that will take care of cars in the Indian environment. We have asked the company to make products suitable for the Indian market,” said the executive.

Currently, the company offers the products required to clean, shine and protect the car inside out. The product portfolio includes shampoo to clean, wax to shine and various interior cleaners in the form of foam and liquid to clean the interiors of the car. It also offers various speciality products like trim restorer, chrome polish, headlight lens restorer, Odor-X Odor removing solutions, etc. to address specific car care requirements. Turtle Wax also has a ceramic coating that has 10H hardness which gives the high gloss, ultra-hydrophobicity, extreme chemical resistance, UV protection and easy cleaning properties. The company plans to bring in graphene-based ceramic coating solutions, which is the new technology in the car care industry.

The company is planning to bring 75th-anniversary Ceramic Paste Wax in Q1 2021, and will also introduce windshield washer fluid shortly in India. Other products from the company for the India market include all-metal polish that polishes all metal surfaces of the car’s exterior; Glass cleaner to keep the glass streak-free during the ride; ClearVue Rain Repellent that helps get better visibility during the monsoon rains; Trim Restorer since the Trims fades here in India more than the rest of the world and Windscreen washer fluid to remove the dirt and grime from the windshield glass.

The company will also introduce waterless washing products that cater to areas where water is scarce. The company’s waterless wash and wax has advanced polymer technology that lifts dirt to prevent starching, while the enriched wax gives a shiny and protective finish. Its rain repellent formula prevents watermarks and extends time in between cleaning.

The company will also bring in its Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions ICE Seal N Shine, premium car paint sealant. The ICE Seal N Shine gives the car a layer of super-hydrophobic silicone for up to six months of protection against streaks, scratches and swirls.

To set up its network, the company will go through a distribution route and for which it has selected 23 cities, which have larger car density. Turtle Wax India is appointing own distributors in these cities who will take care of retailers and workshops. It has also identified another 48 towns in which it will supply products to dealers who will provide the products in the respective markets.

“We will have our main presence in all metro cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, and additional upcoming cities like Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Cochin, Surat etc,” he added.

The company plans to have about 10,000 outlets by the end of next June. Turtle Wax India has also set up the car care studios in Pune, Bangalore and New Delhi. The studio will be not based on a franchise concept; instead, it will be a co-branded activity. “We provide our products and branding support, but the studios also keep their brand identity,” he said. The company also has plants to have such studios in its 23 cities.

Puravangara declined to share the current revenue and future commercial targets but said sales numbers are increasing with each passing month. Currently, the company is importing its products from global subsidiaries, but he said the company will have a look into setting up local production capabilities. “The way it is going, we will have to do something locally as well. I don’t think we will be able to manage (the demand) with our global support when the demand goes up,” he said.

The company is looking for an option of re-packaging under which it will get bulk products and repack for the domestic market. “We will also see if some India oriented products will be manufactured here, completely. Those options are quite open,” he added.

Many Indians are using hair shampoo sachets to wash cars. When asked whether the company is looking to introduce car wash shampoo in sachets, he said it will not look into sachet option but will be looking to have a bottle of 100 to 200 ml. “We are still looking at those options of small bottles, but per wash, cost increases with smaller bottles,” he added.

Talking on the challenges, he said, it is on finalising the complete product portfolio that suits to the rapidly changing requirements of the Indian market. “We need to keep reinventing on products to be a leader in the market,” he concluded. (MT)

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Vietnam’s Vingroup has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana, outlining a comprehensive plan to develop a multi-sector ecosystem through a proposed phased investment of USD 3 billion. This expansive collaboration aims to drive socio-economic growth in the Indian state through major initiatives in smart urban development, electric mobility, healthcare, education, tourism and renewable energy.

The partnership’s most ambitious component is the planned creation of a large-scale smart city. This new urban area, designed to accommodate approximately 200,000 residents, will integrate sustainable planning principles with international-standard amenities and is expected to generate significant local employment. Supporting this community, Vingroup will develop essential social infrastructure, including international-grade multi-specialty hospitals and an integrated K-12 school system.

A key pillar of the initiative is establishing a sustainable electric mobility ecosystem. This involves launching India's first large-scale electric taxi service within Telangana, supported by a widespread network of charging stations. To ensure a green power supply for this fleet, urban areas and industrial zones, Vingroup further proposes to develop a substantial solar farm. The collaboration will also enhance Telangana’s tourism appeal through a dedicated complex featuring theme parks and wildlife attractions.

The Telangana government has committed to supporting these projects by facilitating land allocation, assisting with master planning and administrative procedures and mobilising the necessary connecting infrastructure. This foundational agreement not only marks a significant step in Vingroup’s international expansion but also strengthens economic and business ties between Vietnam and India, creating a framework for future cooperation and mutual growth.

A Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Telangana, said, “The USD 3 billion investment by Vingroup is a massive vote of confidence in the ‘Telangana Rising’ vision, particularly our focus on sustainable urban development and green infrastructure. This is more than capital; it’s a partnership to build a futuristic, net-zero city and introduce India’s first large-scale electric taxi fleet, directly improving the quality of life for our citizens. Our government guarantees accelerated execution to ensure this global vision becomes a local reality.”

D Sridhar Babu, Hon'ble Industries Minister, Government of Telangana, said, "Vingroup's multi-sectoral commitment, spanning smart cities, solar power and advanced social infrastructure like hospitals and schools, demonstrates the stability and breadth of Telangana’s industrial policy. We are committed to translating this significant capital inflow into local opportunity, positioning Telangana as the gateway for Vietnamese and South-East Asian investment into India's fastest-growing economy."

Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to the Government, Government of Telangana, said, “We welcome Vingroup’s presence in Telangana and recognise the achievements the Group has made in Vietnam, particularly in urban development, green infrastructure and electrified transportation. With the Group’s extensive expertise and capability to execute large-scale projects, we believe that this cooperation will mark an important step forward in shaping a modern and sustainable urban landscape and improving the quality of life for the people of Telangana.”

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of Vingroup Asia and VinFast Asia, said, “Vingroup sees tremendous potential in Telangana and we aspire to build a long-term partnership with the state government. With our proven track record in delivering mega urban developments, large-scale infrastructure and a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem, we believe that our collaboration with Telangana will generate tangible value, promote sustainable development and enhance the quality of life for local residents.”

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India and Germany convened a high-level roundtable under the Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development (GSDP) to discuss solutions for advancing electric mobility ecosystems. The ninth edition of the GSDP Conversation Series focused on ‘Electric Mobility: From System Integration to Skills Development’.

The roundtable brought together senior officials from key central ministries, state and city administrations, public transport undertakings, distribution companies (DISCOMs), industry leaders and international partners to address the shift from fragmented pilots to a coordinated, ecosystem-wide transformation.

The discussion underlined that India can only achieve its electric mobility targets through integrated planning across various sectors, including renewable energy, transportation, manufacturing, finance and skills. Stronger coordination among the central government, states and cities was also noted as key to successful implementation.

The participants prioritised five key themes to shape the next phase of India’s e-mobility transition:

• Multimodal Electrification: Integrating metro, bus, shared mobility and last-mile services into a unified electric transport system.
• Charging Infrastructure and Grid Readiness: Enhancing coordination with DISCOMs, ensuring land and power capacity, standardising charging systems and strengthening battery safety and circularity.
• Financing and Procurement: Improving bankability, payment security, risk sharing, contract structures and financial instruments for e-buses and commercial EVs.
• Skills and Gender Inclusion: Addressing shortages in EV engineering, charger installation, battery management, safety and digital mobility services while expanding opportunities for women.
• Indo-German Collaboration: Advancing cooperation in areas such as grid management, multimodal planning, standardisation, battery circularity and vocational training.

Christine Toetzke, Director General for Asia, Latin America, Middle East & Eastern/Southeastern Europe, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany, said, “Germany and India share a long-standing partnership rooted in trust, ambition, and a shared vision for a greener future. The Green and Sustainable Development Partnership is central to our international engagement, reflecting our joint commitment to make development both climate-compatible and socially inclusive. Electric mobility is not merely a technological shift; it is a transformation of how our societies move, how we design our cities, and how we create opportunities for future generations. As India advances this transition at a remarkable scale and speed, Germany stands ready to support with system-level planning, vocational skills development and innovation in areas such as battery management and circular economy solutions. Our cooperation is a long-term investment in cleaner air, safer mobility, and more equitable access to opportunity for all.”

Senior officials emphasised the importance of aligning national schemes with local implementation capacity, noting that India now requires system-wide approaches that combine depot electrification, grid readiness, multimodal integration, transparent procurement models and a skilled workforce. The dialogue reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to accelerate clean, efficient and inclusive mobility solutions.

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The UK's cherished classic car community can finally breathe a collective sigh of relief. The decisive action by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget to maintain the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) exemption for vehicles over 40 years old has ended a prolonged period of uncertainty, securing a stable future for this vital sector. Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty UK, welcomed this clarity, noting that the confirmed freeze on fuel duty further solidifies a supportive environment for owners. He underscores that this is a significant win for the GBP-7.3-billion industry that supports over 100,000 jobs and contributes GBP 3 billion annually to the UK economy, all while championing an inherently sustainable form of motoring.

This perspective on sustainability is reinforced by Dale Keller, CEO of the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA), who affirms that the tax exemption logically aligns with environmental objectives. Classic vehicles, preserved as moving heritage, have a negligible lifecycle carbon footprint compared to new manufacturing and are driven infrequently. The original principle of the exemption remains valid, as applying a modern tax to these rarely used assets would be inequitable.

Alongside the VED news, the Chancellor confirmed the continuation of the MOT exemption for classic cars, though this will remain under review. On this point, Roper of Hagerty UK strikes a note of caution, observing that many within the industry advocate for an annual roadworthiness check. He notes that a great number of responsible classic owners voluntarily submit their vehicles for an MOT each year, valuing the independent assurance of safety and mechanical integrity it provides.

For Hagerty UK, as a specialist insurer deeply embedded in this world, the government’s affirmation is a powerful endorsement of the sector's cultural and economic value. Through its vibrant Clubhouse at Bicester Heritage and unique events like RADwood, Hagerty is actively fostering this passionate community. Similarly, the HCVA continues its mission to protect and promote the diverse ecosystem of specialists, restorers and businesses that form the backbone of this multi-billion-pound industry, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.

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Mahindra Racing has solidified its long-term future in electric motorsport by confirming its manufacturer commitment to the GEN4 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, starting in 2026/27. This announcement, made during the unveiling of its new M12Electro race car in India, extends a relationship that began in 2013 when Mahindra stood as both a founding team and the first OEM to join the all-electric series.

The team's current trajectory underscores the significance of this pledge. Following a dramatic 18-month transformation under CEO and Team Principal Frederic Bertrand, Mahindra Racing has evolved from a backmarker into a consistent front-runner. This resurgence was powered by the redesigned M11Electro, in which drivers Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara collectively secured five podium finishes in Season 11, catapulting the squad to a stellar fourth place in the world championship. The newly launched M12Electro is the intended vehicle to maintain this status as a top-five contender and a regular threat for podium positions in the forthcoming season.

The technical landscape for GEN4 promises to further electrify the sport. The next-generation cars will boast a peak race power of 450 kw, with a potent 600 kw available in ATTACK MODE to empower aggressive overtaking. Enhanced strategic possibilities will come from a race energy capacity of up to 55 kWh and a remarkable 700 kw of regenerative braking. In a continued commitment to sustainability, the GEN4 chassis will be produced from 100 percent recyclable materials and will feature two distinct aerodynamic configurations – high-downforce for qualifying and low-downforce for races – to optimise performance.

Mahindra's ambition is to leverage this new regulatory chapter to build on its renewed momentum, chase incremental gains and establish itself as a confirmed championship contender against elite manufacturers like Porsche and Jaguar. This competitive platform also serves a broader purpose, aligning with the Mahindra Group’s sustainability initiatives. The team, the first in Formula E to earn the FIA’s Three-Star Sustainability Accreditation, has embarked on its ‘Planet Positive’ programme. This initiative is dedicated to driving positive impact in communities and economies, accelerating climate solutions and using the intersection of sport and technology as a catalyst for a better future.

R Velusamy, Chairman, Mahindra Racing, said, "Mahindra Racing has always been a symbol of our commitment to the Race to Road journey – where cutting-edge innovation on the track directly shapes the clean, intelligent and high-performance mobility solutions we deliver to customers. Formula E is a powerful platform for innovating new technology, giving us the ability to experiment, learn and advance electric powertrain efficiency, sustainable materials and software intelligence. As we step into the GEN4 era, our ambition only grows stronger. Continuing this journey till 2030 is a testament to our belief in the sport, in electrification and in India’s role in leading global sustainable mobility. We are proud to champion this future, and GEN4 represents an exciting new chapter for Mahindra Racing and the Mahindra Group.”

Frederic Bertrand, Team Principal, Mahindra Racing, said, “I’m delighted to share this announcement that Mahindra Racing will remain in Formula E as a manufacturer for the GEN4 era. As a team, we have been on a fantastic journey over the past two seasons. What we have built and achieved as a group has been exceptional, and with this announcement, we now have the platform to keep growing and developing and achieve even greater success in the future. None of this would be possible without our colleagues across the Mahindra Group. They have bought into the project and the vision, and we will keep working hard to not only make India proud but also showcase exactly why it has the potential to be a major player on the world stage in the automotive and technology industries. Their enthusiasm to ‘Scream Electric’ is hugely inspiring to the whole team, and we will continue to represent them with pride in this next exciting chapter of our Formula E story in the coming years.”

Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E, said, “We’re thrilled to confirm Mahindra’s long-term commitment to the GEN4 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. As one of our founding teams, Mahindra has been with us since the very beginning, consistently championing electric racing and innovation. Their bold vision for sustainable mobility and continued investment in advanced EV technology perfectly align with Formula E’s mission. Mahindra’s enduring presence not only strengthens our position in a key market but also reinforces Formula E’s role as a global platform for driving positive change. We’re excited to see what they’ll achieve in this next chapter of performance and progress.”

Marek Nawarecki, Senior Circuit Sport Director, FIA, said, “Following the GEN4 reveal and the really positive sentiment reported, we are pleased to announce Mahindra as the sixth manufacturer to commit to Formula E’s GEN4 era. This is testament to the relevance of the road map we are implementing in Formula E for OEMs. GEN4 underscores just how far the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has come since 2014 and we are looking forward to continuing this journey with Mahindra as one of the founding teams and partners.”

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